Astros report: Uncertainty dogs Norris, Veras on road trip

And while the highly tradeable pitchers understand their careers are one phone call away from immediately changing, they entered a 10-game, 11-day trip that bridges a Wednesday non-waiver trade deadline by focusing on the present and mentally preparing for what may soon be a new role in a new home city.

Norris has maintained a low profile during recent weeks while publicly acknowledging his five-season run in an Astros uniform could soon be complete.

He threw an emotional 61⁄3 innings Wednesday in a no-decision against Oakland at Minute Maid Park. Whether the Astros’ No. 1 starter makes his next scheduled appearance Tuesday at Baltimore or is still with the club Aug. 1 during a series finale against the Orioles is out of his hands after six months of waiting and wondering.

“It’s not just me. There’s 24 other guys in the clubhouse, and it could be anybody. It could be anybody at any time,” Norris said prior to the Astros’ 4-0 Thursday loss to the Blue Jays at Toronto. “The guys have been really supportive through all of it, and they understand it, and I’m very appreciative of it.”

Norris is the Astros’ most movable asset, potentially giving a contending club a middle-of-the-rotation starter with two more years of team control. His name has recently been attached to Veras’, with the duo possibly giving a team an improving starter and a sturdy closer or eighth-inning reliever in one deal.

Veras received a season-changing call with the New York Yankees in 2009, when he suddenly became a Cleveland Indian. Five days before this year’s deadline, he wants to stick with the Astros and is beginning to feel like Houston is home. He also knows baseball becomes more of a business each passing year.

“I would like to be

here all the days to the last day of my career,” said Veras, who has 18 saves and a 3.05 ERA in 41 games.

Villar, Cosart hit the big time

While Bud Norris and Jose Veras waited for their future, rookies Jonathan Villar and Jarred Cosart quickly adjusted to life as major leaguers on a long trip.

Cosart’s locker was placed next to Norris’, while Villar joked pregame with fellow Dominican Republic natives Jose Cisnero and Veras.

Villar, 22, spent six seasons in the minor leagues. This marks his first road trip in the big leagues — and his first journey into the Great White North with one of a major league player’s biggest perks.

“No roommate,” Villar said with a smile.

Bringing order to the lineup

The Astros entered Thursday having used 86 different batting orders in 100 games. But the addition of Jonathan Villar is finally giving manager Bo Porter a few names he can write in with a pen instead of a pencil.

With Villar hitting leadoff and second baseman Jose Altuve in the two hole, catcher Jason Castro hit third Thursday. Add in speedy outfielder Brandon Barnes in the nine spot, giving the Astros three potential base stealers when the order loops around, and a club known for inconsistency now has four players who could become locked in the order during this trip.

“It makes it easy when writing the lineup of knowing those three guys are going to pretty much be in the lineup every day, unless you choose to give them a day off,” Porter said.

<center><strong>Sept: 29: Yankees 5, Astros 1 (14 innings)</center></strong><br>
Jarred Cosart couldn't bear to watch as the worst season in Astros' history came to an excruciating end in extra innings. less

<center><strong>Sept: 29: Yankees 5, Astros 1 (14 innings)</center></strong><br>
Jarred Cosart couldn't bear to watch as the worst season in Astros' history came to an excruciating end in extra ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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<center><strong>Sept: 28: Yankees 2, Astros 1</center></strong><br>
Andy Pettitte went out in style by shutting down the Astros in a complete game for his last start as a MLB player.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-110. less

<center><strong>Sept: 28: Yankees 2, Astros 1</center></strong><br>
Andy Pettitte went out in style by shutting down the Astros in a complete game for his last start as a MLB ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

Image 4 of 204

<center><strong>Sept: 27: Yankees 3, Astros 2</center></strong><br>
The Astros 13th straight loss also gives them a new record in losses for a single season (109). The Yankees held on and closed out the Astros without even having to bring in Mariano Rivera.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-109. less

<center><strong>Sept: 27: Yankees 3, Astros 2</center></strong><br>
The Astros 13th straight loss also gives them a new record in losses for a single season (109). The Yankees held on and closed out the ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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<center><strong>Sept. 25: Rangers 7, Astros 3</center></strong><br>
Brandon Laird's fifth home run of the year gave the Astros a 3-1 fourth-inning lead, but the Rangers attacked Dallas Keuchel in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead for good - sending the Astros to their 12th straight loss and franchise-worst 108th loss.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-108. less

<center><strong>Sept. 25: Rangers 7, Astros 3</center></strong><br>
Brandon Laird's fifth home run of the year gave the Astros a 3-1 fourth-inning lead, but the Rangers attacked Dallas Keuchel in the bottom ... more

Photo: Paul Moseley / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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<center><strong>Sept. 24: Rangers 3, Astros 2</center></strong><br>
Houston was not mystified like it has been by Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, but the Astros couldn't secure their early lead.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-107. less

<center><strong>Sept. 24: Rangers 3, Astros 2</center></strong><br>
Houston was not mystified like it has been by Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, but the Astros couldn't secure their early ... more

<center><strong>Sept. 22: Indians 9, Astros 2</center></strong><br>
Erik Bedard was touched up for six runs on eight hits as the Indians overcome an early 2-0 deficit to rout the Astros and hand them their ninth straight loss.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-105. less

<center><strong>Sept. 22: Indians 9, Astros 2</center></strong><br>
Erik Bedard was touched up for six runs on eight hits as the Indians overcome an early 2-0 deficit to rout the Astros and hand them their ... more

Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images

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<center><strong>Sept. 21: Indians 4, Astros 1</center></strong><br>
Cleveland struck for three first-inning runs and the Astros were not able to get on the board until the ninth inning as the Indians extended the Astros' season-long eight-game losing streak.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-104. less

<center><strong>Sept. 21: Indians 4, Astros 1</center></strong><br>
Cleveland struck for three first-inning runs and the Astros were not able to get on the board until the ninth inning as the Indians ... more

Photo: Mark Duncan / Associated Press

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<center><strong>Sept. 20: Indians 2, Astros 1 (7)</center></strong><br>
Three errors committed by the Astros contributed to this rain-shortened loss to Cleveland.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-103. less

<center><strong>Sept. 20: Indians 2, Astros 1 (7)</center></strong><br>
Three errors committed by the Astros contributed to this rain-shortened loss to Cleveland.
<strong>Record:</strong> ... more

Photo: Jason Miller / Getty Images

Image 13 of 204

<center><b>Sept. 19: Indians 2, Astros 1 (11)</center></b>
The Astros lost their second extra-inning game in a row as Cleveland rallies past Houston in the 11th inning.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-102. less

<center><b>Sept. 19: Indians 2, Astros 1 (11)</center></b>
The Astros lost their second extra-inning game in a row as Cleveland rallies past Houston in the 11th inning.
<strong>Record:</strong> ... more

<center><b>Sept. 15: Angles 2, Astros 1</center></b>
Houston inched closer to a 100-loss season and lost the series to Los Angeles.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-98.

<center><b>Sept. 15: Angles 2, Astros 1</center></b>
Houston inched closer to a 100-loss season and lost the series to Los Angeles.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-98.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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<center><b>Sept. 14: Angles 6, Astros 2</center></b>
The Astros found themselves down four runs after the fourth inning and weren't able to come back as the Angels took the second game of the series.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-97. less

<center><b>Sept. 14: Angles 6, Astros 2</center></b>
The Astros found themselves down four runs after the fourth inning and weren't able to come back as the Angels took the second game of the ... more

Photo: Eric Christian Smith / Associated Press

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<center><b>Sept. 13: Astros 9, Angels 7</center></b>
Cody Clark, a 32-year-old, had his first major-league hit for Houston against Los Angeles.
<strong>Record:</strong> 51-96. less

<center><b>Sept. 13: Astros 9, Angels 7</center></b>
Cody Clark, a 32-year-old, had his first major-league hit for Houston against Los Angeles.
<strong>Record:</strong> ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 22 of 204

<center><b>Sept. 11: Astros 6, Mariners 1</center></b>
The Astros got their 50th win of the season thanks to a solid starting pitching performance from Brad Peacock and an early cushion.
<strong>Record:</strong> 50-96. less

<center><b>Sept. 11: Astros 6, Mariners 1</center></b>
The Astros got their 50th win of the season thanks to a solid starting pitching performance from Brad Peacock and an early ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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<center><b>Sept. 10: Astros 13, Mariners 2</center></b>
The Astros tattooed Mariners pitchers to the tune of 13 runs in Seattle, taking the second straight game in the three-game set.
<strong>Record:</strong> 49-96. less

<center><b>Sept. 10: Astros 13, Mariners 2</center></b>
The Astros tattooed Mariners pitchers to the tune of 13 runs in Seattle, taking the second straight game in the three-game ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

Image 24 of 204

<center><b>Sept. 9: Astros 6, Mariners 4</center></b>
Jimmy Paredes came through in the ninth inning to tie the game and Jonathan Villar broke the tie in the next at bat with a two-run single giving the Astros the lead for good.
<strong>Record:</strong> 48-96. less

<center><b>Sept. 9: Astros 6, Mariners 4</center></b>
Jimmy Paredes came through in the ninth inning to tie the game and Jonathan Villar broke the tie in the next at bat with a two-run single giving the ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images

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<center><b>Sept. 8: A's 7, Astros 2</center></b>
Lucas Harrell got the surprise start, but the A's didn't care who was pitching as they roughed him up for seven runs in the third inning.
<strong>Record:</strong> 47-96. less

<center><b>Sept. 8: A's 7, Astros 2</center></b>
Lucas Harrell got the surprise start, but the A's didn't care who was pitching as they roughed him up for seven runs in the third ... more

Photo: Jason O. Watson / Getty Images

Image 27 of 204

<center><b>Sept. 7: A's 2, Astros 1</center></b>
Houston came up short in the third game of the series in Oakland.
<strong>Record:</strong> 47-95.

<center><b>Sept. 7: A's 2, Astros 1</center></b>
Houston came up short in the third game of the series in Oakland.
<strong>Record:</strong> 47-95.

Photo: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

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<center><b>Sept. 6: A's 7, Astros 5</center></b>
The Astros couldn't hold onto an early lead in Oakland as the A's rallied to take the second game of the series.
<strong>Record:</strong> 47-94. less

<center><b>Sept. 6: A's 7, Astros 5</center></b>
The Astros couldn't hold onto an early lead in Oakland as the A's rallied to take the second game of the series.
<strong>Record:</strong> ... more

<center><b>Sept. 4: Astros 6, Twins 5</center></b>
Trevor Crowe follows through on his walk-off single in the ninth to help the club avoid a series sweep.
<strong>Record:</strong> 46-93. less

<center><b>Sept. 4: Astros 6, Twins 5</center></b>
Trevor Crowe follows through on his walk-off single in the ninth to help the club avoid a series sweep.
<strong>Record:</strong> ... more

Photo: Cody Duty / Chronicle

Image 32 of 204

<center><b>Sept. 3: Twins 9, Astros 6 (12)</center></b>
A three-run home run from Brandon Barnes in the ninth inning forced extras, but Minnesota eventually prevailed
<strong>Record:</strong> 45-93. less

<center><b>Sept. 3: Twins 9, Astros 6 (12)</center></b>
A three-run home run from Brandon Barnes in the ninth inning forced extras, but Minnesota eventually prevailed
<strong>Record:</strong> ... more